Record feed control mechanism

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for feeding a record material different distances during a printing operation, the distances being determined by the type of information that is printed on the record material. The feeding mechanism is controlled by a sensing member which senses selectively positioned control surfaces on a pair of control plates. Each control plate is positioned by the interaction of a pair of stop members and a pair of electromagnetic actuating members to position one of a plurality of control surfaces located on each control plate in the path of movement of the sensing member to provide the feed mechanism with a plurality of record material feeds.

United States Patent Inagaki US. Cl 226/135; 226/156 Int. Cl. B65 17/26 Field of Search 226/135, I36, I38, 141,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Z/l939 Shard 226/l35 X l 1/1939 Scher 9/]965 Halberg 226/l36 l2/l966 Sharpe 226/l35 X Dec. 23, 1975 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Attorney, Agent, or Firm-J. T. Cavender; Wilbert Hawk, Jr.; Richard W. Lavin 57 ABSTRACT A mechanism for feeding a record material difi'erent distances during a printing operation, the distances being determined by the type of information that is printed on the record material. The feeding mechanism is controlled by a sensing member which senses selectively positioned control surfaces on a pair of control plates. Each control plate is positioned by the interaction of a pair of stop members and a pair of electromagnetic actuating members to position one of a plurality of control surfaces located on each control plate in the path of movement of the sensing member to provide the feed mechanism with a plurality of record material feeds.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,927,813

RECORD FEED CONTROL MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a feed mechanism in an electronic cash register or data terminal device for feeding a record material a plurality of different predetermined extents to position portions of the record material adjacent a printing station for printing data thereon. In a checkout operation, the price of each item is printed on a receipt as the item is checked out. At the end of the checkout operation, the total of the amount due is printed on the receipt. In each of these conditions, the receipt is required to be fed a predetermined length to position a portion of the receipt adjacent a printing station, the length of feed depending on the type of data that has been printed on the receipt. Prior feed control mechanisms that have been developed for use in business machines for feeding a record material predetermined lengths were quite complicated in their construction and therefore costly to build and repair. The feed mechanisms occupied a large amount of space within the business machine and relied on the mechanical operation of the machine to provide its motive power.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a mechanism for selectively feeding a record material a plurality of predetermined lengths which is simple in construction and therefore low in cost. A further object of this invention is to provide a feed mechanism which can be controlled by electrical signals generated by the depression of keys in the keyboard of an electronic cash register or data terminal device. Another object of this invention is to provide a feed mechanism which is compact in construction to allow for its use in a data terminal device. A further object of this invention is to provide a feed mechanism which can provide at least four feed movements utilizing only two electromagnetic operating control members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In carrying out these objects, there is provided a record material feed mechanism which includes a drive roller engaging a record material for feeding the record material a predetermined length. The length of rotation of the drive roller during a feed operation is controlled by a mechanism which includes a sensing member and a pair of control plates each having a plurality of stop surfaces, each surface limiting the length of movement of the sensing member when moved in a sensing direction. The length of movement of the sensing member controls the length of rotation of the drive roller. Each of the control plates is moved between a latched and unlatched position by the operation of a solenoid and the location of a stop member to position a stop surface in the path of movement of the sensing member. By selectively operating the solenoids, the control plates can be positioned to provide a plurality of different movements for the sensing member.

The above and other, subsidiary, features of the present invention as applied, by way of example only, to one manner of carrying it into effect will now be described and are illustrated in the accompanying drawlngs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the record material feeding mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a detailed plan view of a receipt member showing the data of the merchandise transaction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the timing operation of the printing of various types of data on the receipt member and the paper feed cam member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of the record material feeding mechanism of the present embodiment which is located within an electronic cash register or data terminal device 20. The feeding mechanism includes a drive roller 21 rotatably mounted on a stud 22 secured to the framework of the terminal device 20. A pressure roller 23 rotatably mounted to the framework of the terminal device coacts with the drive roller 21 to engage and drive a ribbon of receipt paper 24 upon which is printed the data of the transaction. The receipt paper 24 is moved from a supply roll 25, rotatably mounted to the framework of the device, over a system of rollers 26, past a printing station 27 which prints the data on the receipt paper 24, past the roller 28 to the drive roller 21. As the operation of the printing mechanism is well known and is irrelevant to the present invention, it is not described herein and has been illustrated in block form in FIG. 1. The drive roller 21 moves the receipt paper 24 past a knife mechanism (not shown) which cuts the receipt paper to provide a receipt 30 (FIG. 2) which is given to the customer.

As shown in FIG. 2, the receipt 30 has printed thereon data 31 concerning each item transaction, a total transaction 32, a consecutive number 33, the date 34 and a logo 35 which is the same on each receipt 30. During a total operation of the terminal device 20, the drive roller 21 is required to provide a long feed of the receipt paper 24. During this long feed, the logo 35 is automatically printed on the receipt paper. During the printing of each item transaction 31, the drive roller 21 will provide a short feed. When a feed distance is required which falls between the distance obtained by a long and short feed operation, a middle feed of the receipt paper 24 will be selected. When a non-print operation occurs, a non-feed is required of the drive roller 21. As is well known in the art, the selection of the type of operation the terminal device 20 is to perform is controlled by a set of transaction keys 36 located on the keyboard of the device. The depression of the appropriate transaction key 36 will control the length of the feed of the receipt paper 24 in a manner which will now be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, secured to the drive roller 21 is a pinion gear member 37 which engages and is driven by a feed gear member 38 rotatably mounted to the framework of the terminal device 20. Connected to the feed gear member 38 through a spring clutch 40 is a sector pinion 41 which is engaged and rotated by a sector member 42. The spring clutch 40 will allow the sector pinion 41 to rotate the feed gear 38 only in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. Clockwise rotation of the pinion 41 will disengage the spring clutch 40 from engagement with the feed gear member 38.

The sector member 42 is rotatably mounted on a stud 43 secured to the framework of the terminal device 20. A spring 44 mounted between a stud 45 on the sector member 42 and a stud 46 in the framework of the terminal device normally urges the sector member 42 in a counterclockwise direction and the sector pinion 41 in a clockwise direction. The lower end of the sector member 42 is pivotally connected to one end of a link member 47, the other end of which is rotatably secured to one end of a feeler member 48 rotatably mounted on a stud 50 secured to the framework. It will be seen from this construction that rotation of the feeler member 48 will produce a like rotation of the sector member 42.

Journaled within the framework of the terminal device and adjacent the link 47 is a motor operated cam shaft 51 to which is mounted a cam member 52. Rotatably mounted on a stud 53 secured to the framework of the terminal device is a cam follower arm 54 to which is rotatably mounted a pair of rollers 55 which in turn engage the peripheral surface of the cam member 52. Rotatably secured to the arm 54 is a link member 56 which, under the action of a spring 57 mounted between the stud 46 and a finger portion 58 of the link member 56, will normally rock the arm 54 and rollers 55 clockwise into engagement with the cam member 52. The other end of the link member 56 is pivotally connected to one end of a feed arm 60 which in turn is rotatably secured to the framework, the other end of the feed arm 60 being positioned adjacent a stud 61 mounted on the sector member 42. It will be seen from this construction that movement of the link member 56 to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 will rock the feed arm 60 counterclockwise resulting in the clockwise rotation of the sector member 42. As will be described more fully hereinafter, the clockwise rotation of the sector member 42 will result in the drive roller 21 feeding the receipt paper 24 a distance commensurate with the length of rotation of the sector member 42.

The feeler member 48 (FIG. 1) has a bent over sensing surface 62 which is positioned adjacent a pair of control plates 63, 64 rotatably mounted on a stud 65 secured to the framework of the terminal device. The control plate 63 includes a pair of control surfaces 66, 67 while the control plate 64 includes the control surfaces 68, 70. The control plate 63 has mounted thereto a stud 71 located adjacent to and in the plain of movement of the control plate 64 and a second stud 72 to which is secured one end of a spring 73. The spring 73 normally urges the control plate 63 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. This rotational movement of the plate 63 by the spring 73 is controlled by a latch member 73 which is rotatably mounted on a stud 75 secured to the framework and located adjacent the control plate 63. The latch member 74 has a hook portion 76 which normally engages a bent over foot portion 77 of the control plate 63 holding the control plate in a home position against the action of the spring 73. A spring 78 mounted between a stud 80 located on the link member 47 and a finger portion 81 of the latch member 74 normally urges the latch member in a counterclockwise direction into engagement with the foot portion 77 of the control plate 63 and against the action of the spring 73.

The other end of the latch member 74 is engaged by one end of a rotatably mounted armature member 82, the other end of which is located adjacent an associated electromagnetic member 83 mounted to the framework of the terminal device by means of screws 84. Energizing of the electromagnetic member 83 will rock the armature member 82 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 which in turn rotates the latch member 74 clockwise against the action of the spring 78, thereby releasing the control plate 63 to the action of the spring 73.

There is associated with the control plate 64 a similar arrangement which includes a spring 79 for rotating a latch member 85 which normally latches a foot portion 86 of the control plate 64 under the action of a spring 87. An armature member 88 associated with an electromagnetic member 90 engages the end of the latch member 85 and operates to rock the latch member 85 clockwise against the action of the spring 87 upon energizing of the electromagnetic member 90.

In the operation of the terminal device wherein print ing on the receipt paper 24 is to occur, the cam shaft 51 (FIG. 1) is rotated 360 during the printing of each line of data on the receipt 30 (FIG. 2). Referring particularly to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic diagram of the timing of operation of various mechanisms which occur during a printing operation. As shown in FIG. 3, by of a cycle of revolution of the cam shaft 51, the data to be printed is set up on typewheels (not shown) located in the printer 27. During the first 50 of rotation of the cam line during a total operation, the logo 35 (FIG. 2) is printed on the receipt paper 24. After the printing of the amount data on the receipt paper 24 which occurs between 200 and 250 of rotation of the cam shaft 51 (FIG. 3), the feeding of the receipt paper is made.

As shown in FIG. 1 and described previously, the feeding of the receipt paper is controlled by the length of rotation of the sector member 42. As shown particularly in FIG. 3, between and 235 of rotation of the cam shaft 51, the cam 52 (FIG. 1) will rock the cam follower arm 54 first clockwise and then counterclockwise between 280 and 330 of rotation of the cam shaft 51. The clockwise rotation of the arm 54 about the stud 53 will rock the feed arm 60 in a clockwise direction allowing the sector member 42 to be rotated counterclockwise by the spring 44. This movement of the sector member 42 is normally limited by the engagement of the stud 61 against the arm 60. Counterclockwise rotation of the sector member 42 will rotate the pinion 41 but not the gear 38 due to the spring clutch 40 connection.

At 280 of rotation of the cam line 51 and after the printing of the data has occurred, the cam 52 will rock the cam follower arm 54 in a counterclockwise direction allowing the arm 60, through its engagement with the stud 61, to rock the sector member 42 in a clockwise direction against the action of the spring 4. This clockwise rotation of the sector member 42 will rotate the gear 38 and the drive roller 21 through the gear 37 by the action of the spring clutch 40 on the gear 38. The clockwise rotation of the drive roller 21 will feed the receipt paper 24 due to the coaction between the drive roller 21 and the pressure roller 23 in a manner well known in the art.

It will be obvious from the above-described construction that the length of feed of the receipt paper 24 is dependent on the length of rotation of the sector member 42 in a clockwise direction. This length of clockwise movement as controlled by the action of the feeler member 48 in sensing one of the sensing surfaces on the control plates 63, 64 as the sector member 42 is being moved counterclockwise by the spring 44. The sensing surfaces 66 and 67 of control plate 63 control a middle feed and non-feed operation respectively while sensing surfaces 68 and 70 of control plate 64 control a short and long feed operation respectively.

During an item operation of the terminal device, neither of the electromagnetic members 83, 90 are energized resulting in the positioning of the control plates 63, 64 in the position shown in FIG. 1. UPon the counterclockwise rotation of the sector member 42 by the action of the spring 44 as a result of the rotation of the cam member 52 and the cam follower arm 54, the feeler member 48 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction allowing the sensing surface 62 of the feeler member 48 to engage the surface 68 of the control plate 64 thereby selecting a short feed. This movement of the feeler member 48 will condition the sector member 42 to rotate the pinion gear 41, feed gear 38 through the action of the spring clutch 40, gear 37 and drive roller 21 so that the receipt paper 24 is moved through a distance commensurate to the sensing movement of the feeler 48. As shown in FIG. 3, this short feed movement occurs between 280 and 330 of rotation of the cam shaft 51.

When a total print operation is selected, the electromagnetic member 90 is energized resulting in the clockwise rotation of the latch member 85 by the armature 88 and the releasing of the control plate 64 to the action of the spring 79. The spring 79 will rotate the plate 67 clockwise until it is stopped by a stud 91 mounted on a link member 92. In this position of the control plates 63, 64, the sensing surface 62 of the feeler 48 will move down between the control plates until it engages the surface 70 of the control plate 64. This movement constitutes a long feed of the receipt paper 24 by the rollers 21, 23.

When a non-feed condition is required, such as occurs in a non-print operation, the electromagnetic member 83 is energized, thereby releasing the control plate 63 to the action of the spring 73. The clockwise movement of the plate 63 is limited by the engagement of the stud 71 on the control plate 63 with the control plate 64. This movement will position the surface 67 of the control plate 63 adjacent the sensing surface 62 of the feeler 42, thus preventing any clockwise movement of the feeler 42.

When a middle feed is required, both of the electromagnetic members 83, 90 will be energized. Energizing of the member 83 will result in the control plate 63 being rotated counterclockwise by the spring 73 until the stud 71 engages the edge of the control plate 64. Energizing of member 90 will allow the spring 72 to move both control plates 63, 64 counterclockwise until the control plate 64 engages the stud 91. In this latter position, the surface 66 of the control plate 63 will be sensed by the surface 62 of the feeler 48, thus providing a middle feed movement of the drive roller 21. After each feed movement, the control plates 63, 64 are rotated in a clockwise direction to their home position by the stud 91. This restoring movement is controlled by the cam shaft 51 in which the link 92 is cam actuated for rotation about a stud 93 in a clockwise direction to allow the stud 91 to return the control plates 63, 64 to their home position wherein the latch member 76, 85, under the action of their springs 78, 87, will latch the control plates in their home position as shown in FIG. I.

It will thus be seen from this construction that only one of four different feed movements can be generated in the feed mechanism by the selective energization of two electromagnetic control members.

While the embodiment of the invention shown an described herein is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the particular form or embodiment disclosed herein, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various other forms.

What is claimed is:

1. In a record material feeding mechanism for feeding a record material a plurality of predetermined lengths, the combination including:

a. a record material feeding means;

b. a sensing member mounted for movement in a sensing direction;

c. means for moving said sensing member in said sensing direction;

d. means interconnecting said sensing member and said feeding means to move said feeding means a length commensurate with the length of movement of the sensing member in a sensing direction;

e. a plurality of first blocking means mounted in the path of movement of said sensing member each selectively movable to a plurality of blocking positions for limiting the movement of said sensing means a different length when in each blocking position;

f. second blocking means mounted adjacent said first blocking means to position said first blocking means in one of said blocking positions upon movement of said first blocking means;

g. and selectively operated actuating means operatively associated with said first blocking means for positioning the first blocking means in one of said blocking positions when not actuated, said actuating means moving said first blocking means into engagement with said second blocking means upon operation of said actuating means whereby said sensing member will move a predetermined length in accordance with the blocking position of said first blocking means.

2. The feeding mechanism of claim 1 in which said first blocking means comprises a pair of rotatably mounted blocking members each having a plurality of blocking surfaces thereon, said blocking members being positioned by said actuating means and said second blocking means to position one of said blocking surfaces in the path of movement of said sensing member thereby limiting the movement of the sensing member in a sensing direction.

3. The feeding mechanism of claim 2 in which said actuating means includes:

a. latch means engaging each of said blocking members for normally holding said blocking members in a non-engaging position;

b. means engaging each of said blocking members for normally urging said blocking members into engagement with said second blocking means;

0. and an electromagnetic member engaging each of said latch means for disabling said latch means when energized whereby said urging means will move said blocking members into engagement with said second blocking means.

4. in a record material feeding mechanism for selectively feeding a record material a plurality of predetermined distances, the combination including:

a. a record material feeding means;

b. a sensing member mounted for movement in a sensing direction;

c. means for moving said sensing member in a sensing direction;

(1. means interconnecting said feeding means and said sensing member to move said feeding means a length commensurate with the length of movement of the sensing member in a sensing direction;

a first and second control member rotatably mounted adjacent said sensing member, each of said control members having a plurality of control surfaces located thereon, said control members movable between a first and second control position wherein in each of said first and second control positions one of said control surfaces is positioned in the path of movement of the sensing member to stop said sensing member after the sensing member has moved a different predetermined length;

f. means positioned adjacent to and in the path of movement of said control members for positioning said control members in said second control position upon movement of said control members toward said second control position;

g. and a pair of selectively operated actuating means each engaging one of said control members for moving its associated control members from said first position to said second position when operated whereby said feeding means will be moved a predetermined length according to the control surface positioned in the path of the sensing member.

5. The feeding mechanism of claim 4 in which said positioning means includes a first stop member mounted on said first control member and in the plane of movement of said second control member, said first stop member engaging said second control member to position said first control member in said second control position upon operation of its associated actuating means.

6. The feeding mechanism of claim 5 in which said positioning means includes a second stop member positioned adjacent ot and in the plane of movement of said second control member for positioning said second control member in said second control position upon operation of its associated actuating means and to position said first control member in a third control position upon operation of both actuating means whereby a control surface on said first control member is positioned to limit the movement of the sensing member a predetermined distance.

7. The feeding mechanism of claim 6 in which said actuating means includes:

a. latch means engaging an associated control memher for normally holding the control member in said first position;

b. means engaging the control member for normally urging the control member towards said second control position;

c. and an electromagnetic member engaging said latch means for disabling said latch means when energized whereby said urging means will move the control member to said second control position.

8. In a record material feeding means mechanism for feeding a record material a plurality of predetermined distances, the combination including:

a. a record material feed member;

b. a feeler member rotatably mounted for movement in a sensing direction;

c. means for moving said feeler member in a sensing direction;

d. means interconnecting said feed member and said feeler member to rotate said feed member a distance commensurate with the length of movement of the feeler member in a sensing direction;

. a first and second selecting member rotatably mounted in a side-by-side relationship adjacent said feeler member, each of said selecting members having a plurality of blocking surfaces located thereon and being movable between a first and second position wherein in each position one of the blocking surfaces is positioned in the path of movement of the feeler member to stop said feeler member after the feeler member has moved a predetermined distance;

f. means located in the path of movement of said first and second selecting members for positioning said selecting members in said second position upon movement of said selecting members toward said second position;

g. a rotatable latch member engaging each of said selecting members for normally positioning said selecting member in said first position;

h. resilient means engaging each of said selecting members for normally urging the selecting member towards said second position;

i. and a electromagnetic member engaging each of said latch members for rotating said member to an unlatched position when energized, whereby said resilient means will move the selecting member towards said second position.

9. The feeding mechanism of claim 8 in which said positioning means includes a first abutment member mounted on said first selecting member and in the plane of movement of said second selecting member, said abutment member engaging said second selecting member to position said first selecting member in said second position upon movement of said first selecting member by its associated resilient means.

10. The feeding mechanism of claim 9 in which said positioning means includes a second abutment member positioned adjacent to and in the plane of movement of said second selecting member, said second abutment member engaging said second selecting member to position said second selecting member in said second position upon movement of said second selecting member by its associated resilient means.

1 l. The feeding mechanism of claim 10 in which said electromagnetic member comprises a solenoid having an armature member engaging said latch member for rotating said latch member to an unlatched position upon energizing of its associated solenoid, said second abutment member positioning said first selecting member in a third position upon energizing of both of the solenoids whereby a blocking surface on said first selecting member is positioned to limit the movement of the sensing member a predetermined distance.

12. The feeding mechanism of claim 11 which includes: a. a spring member engaging each of said latch members for normally rotating said latch member in a direction to latch said selecting members;

b. and rotatable means supporting said second abutment member to rotate said second abutment member in a direction to move said selecting members to said first position whereby each spring member will rotate its associated latch member into a latching position with said selecting memhers.

I I I t 

1. In a record material feeding mechanism for feeding a record material a plurality of predetermined lengths, the combination including: a. a record material feeding means; b. a sensing member mounted for movement in a sensing direction; c. means for moving said sensing member in said sensing direction; d. means interconnecting said sensing member and said feeding means to move said feeding means a length commensurate with the length of movement of the sensing member in a sensing direction; e. a plurality of first blocking means mounted in the path of movement of said sensing member each selectively movable to a plurality of blocking positions for limiting the movement of said sensing means a different length when in each blocking position; f. second blocking means mounted adjacent said first blocking means to position said first blocking means in one of said blocking positions upon movement of said first blocking means; g. and selectively operated actuating means operatively associated with said first blocking means for positioning the first blocking means in one of said blocking positions when not actuated, said actuating means moving said first blocking means into engagement with said second blocking means upon operation of said actuating means whereby said sensing member will move a predetermined length in accordance with the blocking position of said first blocking means.
 2. The feeding mechanism of claim 1 in which said first blocking means comprises a pair of rotatably mounted blocking members each having a plurality of blocking surfaces thereon, said blocking members being positioned by said actuating means and said second blocking means to position one of said blocking surfaces in the path of movement of said sensing member thereby limiting the movement of the sensing member in a sensing direction.
 3. The feeding mechanism of claim 2 in which said actuating means includes: a. latch means engaging each of said blocking members for normally holding said blocking members in a non-engaging position; b. means engaging each of said blocking members for normally urging said blocking members into engagement with said second blocking means; c. and an electromagnetic member engaging each of said latch means for disabling said latch means when energized whereby said urging means will move said blocking members into engagement with said second blocking means.
 4. In a record material feeding mechanism for selectively feeding a record material a plurality of predetermined distances, the combination including: a. a record material feeding means; b. a sensing member mounted for movement in a sensing direction; c. means for moving said sensing member in a sensing direction; d. means interconnecting said feeding means and said sensing member to move said feeding means a length commensurate with the length of movement of the sensing member in a sensing direction; a first and second control member rotatably mounted adjacent said sensing member, each of said control members having a plurality of control surfaces located thereon, said control members movable between a first and second control position wherein in each of said first and second control positions one of said control surfaces is positioned in the path of movement of the sensing member to stop said sensing member after the sensing member has moved a different predetermined length; f. means positioned adjacent to and in the path of movement of said control members for positioning said control members in said second control position upon movement of said control members toward said second control position; g. and a pair of selectively operated actuating means each engaging one of said control members for moving its associated control members from said first position to said second position when operated whereby said feeding means will be moved a predetermined length according to the control surface positioned in the path of the sensing member.
 5. The feeding mechanism of claim 4 in which said positioning means includes a first stop member mounted on said first control member and in the plane of movement of said second control member, said first stop member engaging said second control member to position said first control member in said second control position upon operation of its associated actuating means.
 6. The feeding mechanism of claim 5 in which said positioning means includes a second stop member positioned adjacent ot and in the plane of movement of said second control member for positioning said second control member in said second control position upon operation of its associated actuating means and to position said first control member in a third control position upon operation of both actuating means whereby a control surface on said first control member is positioned to limit the movement of the sensing member a predetermined distance.
 7. The feeding mechanism of claim 6 in which said actuating means includes: a. latch means engaging an associated control member for normally holding the control member in said first position; b. means engaging the control member for normally urging the control member towards said Second control position; c. and an electromagnetic member engaging said latch means for disabling said latch means when energized whereby said urging means will move the control member to said second control position.
 8. In a record material feeding means mechanism for feeding a record material a plurality of predetermined distances, the combination including: a. a record material feed member; b. a feeler member rotatably mounted for movement in a sensing direction; c. means for moving said feeler member in a sensing direction; d. means interconnecting said feed member and said feeler member to rotate said feed member a distance commensurate with the length of movement of the feeler member in a sensing direction; e. a first and second selecting member rotatably mounted in a side-by-side relationship adjacent said feeler member, each of said selecting members having a plurality of blocking surfaces located thereon and being movable between a first and second position wherein in each position one of the blocking surfaces is positioned in the path of movement of the feeler member to stop said feeler member after the feeler member has moved a predetermined distance; f. means located in the path of movement of said first and second selecting members for positioning said selecting members in said second position upon movement of said selecting members toward said second position; g. a rotatable latch member engaging each of said selecting members for normally positioning said selecting member in said first position; h. resilient means engaging each of said selecting members for normally urging the selecting member towards said second position; i. and a electromagnetic member engaging each of said latch members for rotating said member to an unlatched position when energized, whereby said resilient means will move the selecting member towards said second position.
 9. The feeding mechanism of claim 8 in which said positioning means includes a first abutment member mounted on said first selecting member and in the plane of movement of said second selecting member, said abutment member engaging said second selecting member to position said first selecting member in said second position upon movement of said first selecting member by its associated resilient means.
 10. The feeding mechanism of claim 9 in which said positioning means includes a second abutment member positioned adjacent to and in the plane of movement of said second selecting member, said second abutment member engaging said second selecting member to position said second selecting member in said second position upon movement of said second selecting member by its associated resilient means.
 11. The feeding mechanism of claim 10 in which said electromagnetic member comprises a solenoid having an armature member engaging said latch member for rotating said latch member to an unlatched position upon energizing of its associated solenoid, said second abutment member positioning said first selecting member in a third position upon energizing of both of the solenoids whereby a blocking surface on said first selecting member is positioned to limit the movement of the sensing member a predetermined distance.
 12. The feeding mechanism of claim 11 which includes: a. a spring member engaging each of said latch members for normally rotating said latch member in a direction to latch said selecting members; b. and rotatable means supporting said second abutment member to rotate said second abutment member in a direction to move said selecting members to said first position whereby each spring member will rotate its associated latch member into a latching position with said selecting members. 